The Broncos announced Sunday that they signed rookie offensive tackle Charles Sweeton and waived injured tackle Connor Rains.

Rains, a college free agent out of Wyoming, hurt his foot during Friday’s training camp practice and was placed on the waived/injured list.

Sweeton is a 6-foot-5, 291-pound tackle from the University of Tennessee-Martin. He was a four-year starter and a first-team Ohio Valley Conference selection as a senior last year. He was initially signed by Kansas City in May as a college free agent before being released a week later.

King, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound rookie out of Kansas, had 30 receptions for 537 yards and one touchdown as a redshirt junior for the Jayhawks last season. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in May and competed in mini camp and organized team activities before being waived on Monday.

Defensive end Quanterus Smith #93 of the Denver Broncos working at practice at the Dove Valley training facility on Oct. 29, 2014 in Englewood. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Quanterus Smith’s potential never matched his production. With the draft approaching this week, creating additional competition for roster spots, the Broncos waived the defensive end with injury after a failed physical on his left knee.

A fifth-round draft choice in 2013 out of Western Kentucky, Smith played 15 games last season as DeMarcus Ware’s backup, posting 11 tackles and zero sacks, leaving the Broncos ready to move in a different direction as first reported by The Denver Post. He appeared in 308 snaps, showing flashes of pass-rush ability, but was unable to gain traction. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith received a negative grade in all games, save for his 15-play appearance at New England where he displayed strong run defense. He spent the 2013 NFL season on injured reserve because of a knee injury suffered in his final collegiate season.

With the first wave of free agents off the board, clarity is emerging for the next tier. Terrance Knighton continues to mull his options. The defensive tackle enjoyed a good visit with Washington Redskins officials on Wednesday night, including talking with coaches.

The Colts, Patriots and Chargers have varying degrees of interest in Knighton, who ranked ninth among defensive tackles against the run a year ago according to Pro Football Focus. Last season, Knighton received praise from former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio for his sound technique and leadership. Knighton served as one of the Broncos’ team captains in 2014, an honor bestowed by teammates.

Denver is focusing on young players to fill Knighton’s void. Broncos general manager John Elway believes that Sylvester Williams and Marvin Austin will improve under the guidance of new defensive line coach Bill Kollar. Denver also remains interested in re-signing Mitch Unrein.

In this July 21, 2013, file photo, Miami Dolphins tackle Andrew McDonald (67) works on a drill with offensive guard Chris Barker during an NFL football practice at the NFL football team’s training facility in Davie, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press file)

The Broncos filled out their 53-man roster Thursday by re-signing tight end Dominique Jones. He fills the void created by — Dominique Jones, who was waived Tuesday.

The Broncos initially waived Jones because they put in a waiver claim on Indianapolis offensive tackle Andrew McDonald and needed to clear a roster spot in case they got him.

Peyton Manning and the Broncos returned to practice on Wednesday. No helmets were required as the team continues to balance rest and recovery down the stretch. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

The calendar and the training room can dictate practice this time of year. With three games remaining, a common opponent in San Diego and the bye week occurring two months ago, the Broncos practiced without helmets on Wednesday.

Peyton Manning and the Broncos will take on the Colts in their opening game of the season. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE IS SET FOR BRONCOSThe 2014 NFL season will begin with Peyton Manning and the Broncos playing Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts in a prime-time Sunday night game Sept. 7 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos, who will play five of their first seven games at home, will travel to Seattle on Sept. 21 for their first away game, a rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII. See the rest of the Broncos’ 2014 schedule here: dpo.st/RMQCjL

“As if winning consecutive conference titles weren’t already difficult enough, the defending AFC champions will play half of their games against teams that made the playoffs in 2013. The Broncos went 4-0 against the NFC East last season – a feat they are unlikely to repeat against the NFC West in 2014.”

Oklahoma State defensive back Justin Gilbert runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Feb. 25, 2014. (Michael Conroy, The Associated Press)

Despite 15 wins, a Super Bowl appearance and a free-agent haul, the Broncos have needs.

They are looking to add depth, if not immediate contributors at cornerback, linebacker and the offensive line. Even with the addition of Aqib Talib, the Broncos could use help on the perimeter to protect themselves as Chris Harris recovers from knee surgery.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard told The Press Box in studio on Tuesday that the Broncos didn’t offer to sign him to a new contract.

“It was kind of a lot of back and forth, but it was nothing solid. No offer or anything to me,” Woodyard said. “I would have liked to have finished my career in the city where I started. But obviously, I didn’t get an opportunity to do that.”

A popular and highly productive receiver in four seasons with the Broncos, Decker has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the New York Jets. The deal averages about $7.3 million million per season.

“I’m very thankful for my four years in Denver,” Decker said late Wednesday night from New Jersey, where he finished dining with Jets coach Rex Ryan among others. “I think it’s one of the greatest cities to play in. Unfortunately, I never got an offer from the Broncos. Denver will always be a part of me but I’m excited about New York being my new community and starting a new chapter in my life. On top of all that, my wife’s expecting our baby any second.”

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns also had serious interest in Decker.

Decker averaged 86 catches and 12 touchdowns the past two seasons with Peyton Manning as his quarterback.

Jack Reale, long-time agent for Champ Bailey, believes in his client’s ability to continue playing at Pro Bowl-caliber level.

It was the foot injury, not age, that began a series of events leading to the Broncos’ impending release of the cornerback Bailey. Broncos general manager John Elway and coach John Fox informed Bailey of their decision during a meeting at the team’s headquarters Wednesday.

“Champ is appreciative of the 10 years he had there,” Reale said. “It’s unfortunate frankly that he tried to play hurt this year. Because most people with that injury would wind up on IR (injured reserve). But he felt this was a year they were going to go to the Super Bowl, and he was dadgum if he was going to watch that game from the press box or sidelines.

“So he tried to get it done. And unfortunately everybody wants to judge him based on playing hurt. Which is how it goes in the league. Rarely, if ever do you get an ‘attaboy’ if you don’t play as well hurt as you do when your healthy.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Robinson arrived in Denver before the 2013 season after a year on Arizona’s practice squad in 2012. Before that, he was a Broncos college free-agent signing out of Arizona State (where he played with Brock Osweiler).

Robinson’s signing completes the signing of the Broncos’ full practice squad to end last season. When a season ends, practice squad players become free agents.

With 10 days to mull over their loss to San Diego, the Broncos seemed to move on after their mini-bye leading up to their trip to Houston. With Peyton Manning being recognized with a somewhat prestigious honor and no new injuries to worry about, the team shouldn’t have had too much to complain about, especially considering they face two losing teams to end the regular season.

Monday: The Broncos had what they called a “bonus” practice on Monday; usually, the team just has meetings, but with no Sunday game, it was able to get out there on the field. Peyton Manning, Wes Welker (concussion), Kayvon Webster (thumb) and Derek Wolfe (illness) sat out the practice.

Manning was also honored as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, an honor that was announced Sunday night. Sports Illustrated editor Chris Stone was on hand at Dove Valley to discuss the honor, and a dinner was held for Manning Monday night. Also, if you don’t take the time to read Lee Jenkins’ story about Manning, on the cover of this week’s issue, you’re bananas.

The Broncos’ five most significant roster moves before the 2013 season starts in full…

1. Tavarres King, WR, waived. A rookie and fifth-round pick. I can’t believe all those trees I killed, and cyperspace I polluted, writing about the No. 5 receiver competition all through training camp and the preseason. The No. 5 receiver turned out to be No receiver. (And, please, Trindon Holliday is a returner with a package of plays. The No. 5 receiver on game day would be either Jacob Tamme or Julius Thomas.)

2. Quanterus Smith, DE, moved to season-ending IR. Another rookie drafted in the fifth round. What’s bad about this is he can’t practice. And the kid needs practice. But the Broncos didn’t like the way his surgically-repaired knee was coming along. “I think he was carrying his leg,” said Broncos coach John Fox.

With the season-ending injury to Broncos center Dan Koppen in Sunday’s practice, the team is now looking at a shallow pool of available replacements.

And in looking at the players available and how they’ve played in recent seasons, the best fits would likely be Steve Vallos and Eugene Amano. Amano has far more experience as a starter in the league — 68 starts and 124 games played in his career — but many personnel executives in the league say Amano is still looking for a multi-year contract befitting a starter rather than an unsigned free agent.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.